What is etravirine?

Etravirine is an antiviral medicine that prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from multiplying in your body.

Etravirine is used with other medicines to treat HIV in adults and children who are at least 6 years old. HIV causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Etravirine is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Etravirine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important Information

In rare cases, etravirine can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.

Etravirine must be taken in combination with other HIV medications. However, some drugs can raise or lower your blood levels of etravirine. Etravirine can also affect blood levels of certain other drugs. This can make your medicines less effective or increase side effects. TELL YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT ALL OTHER MEDICINES YOU USE.

Before taking this medicine

You should not take etravirine if you are allergic to it.

To make sure you can safely take etravirine, tell your doctor if you have any liver disease, including hepatitis B or C.

Etravirine must be taken in combination with other HIV medications. However, there are certain combinations of medicines that should not be used together with etravirine. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. HIV can be passed to your baby if you are not properly treated during pregnancy. Take all of your HIV medicines as directed to control your infection.

Women with HIV or AIDS should not breast-feed a baby. Even if your baby is born without HIV, the virus may be passed to the baby in your breast milk.

How should I take etravirine?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take etravirine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Etravirine must be taken in combination with other HIV medications. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

If a child is taking this medication, tell your doctor if the child has any changes in weight. Etravirine doses are based on weight in children.

Etravirine works best if you take it after a meal. Do not take it on an empty stomach.

Do not crush, chew, or break an etravirine tablet. Swallow it whole with liquid such as water.

If you cannot swallow an etravirine tablet whole, place it into a glass of water and allow the tablet to disperse in the liquid. The tablet will not dissolve completely. Drink this mixture right away. To make sure you get the entire dose, add a little more liquid to the same glass, swirl gently and drink right away.

While using etravirine, you may need frequent blood tests at your doctor's office.

Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice. Every person with HIV or AIDS should remain under the care of a doctor.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the tablets in their original container.

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you are less than 6 hours late in taking your medicine, take the missed dose after your next meal. Then return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking etravirine?

Taking this medication will not prevent you from passing HIV to other people. Do not have unprotected sex or share razors or toothbrushes. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent HIV transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe, even for a healthy person.

Etravirine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

In rare cases, etravirine can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.

severe skin reaction--fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Etravirine may increase your risk of certain infections or autoimmune disorders by changing the way your immune system works. Symptoms may occur weeks or months after you start treatment with etravirine. Tell your doctor if you have:

See also:

Etravirine dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for HIV Infection:

200 mg orally twice a day after a meal

Use: In combination with other antiretroviral agents, for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in antiretroviral therapy-experienced patients with evidence of viral replication and HIV-1 strains resistant to an NNRTI and other antiretroviral agents

Usual Pediatric Dose for HIV Infection:

6 to less than 18 years:-Weight 16 to less than 20 kg: 100 mg orally twice a day after a meal-Weight 20 to less than 25 kg: 125 mg orally twice a day after a meal-Weight 25 to less than 30 kg: 150 mg orally twice a day after a meal-Weight at least 30 kg: 200 mg orally twice a day after a meal

Comments:-Special attention should be given to accurate dose selection, transcription of the medication order, dispensing information, and dosing instructions to reduce the risk of medication errors, overdosing, and underdosing.

Use: In combination with other antiretroviral agents, for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in antiretroviral therapy-experienced patients with evidence of viral replication and HIV-1 strains resistant to an NNRTI and other antiretroviral agents

What other drugs will affect etravirine?

Some drugs can raise or lower your blood levels of etravirine, which may cause side effects or make etravirine less effective. Etravirine can also affect blood levels of certain other drugs, making them less effective or increasing side effects.

Many drugs can interact with etravirine. Not all possible interactions are listed here. TELL YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT ALL OTHER MEDICINES YOU USE, and any you start or stop using during treatment with etravirine, especially:

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with etravirine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.